What time to arrive for check in?

[Albertan mom]

First time cruisers going in May!

If our check in time is 10:30, what time should we arrive at the Port?
If we park at the parking lot there, do we walk to the check in spot, or is there a shuttle?
If there is a shuttle, does it pick us up at our car? Then does it pick up others too?
To make this easier, if someone could give me the play by play of what happens from when we arrive at the parking lot, and the time it takes to get to the check in spot, that would be great!
Thanks!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

First time cruisers going in May!

If our check in time is 10:30, what time should we arrive at the Port?
If we park at the parking lot there, do we walk to the check in spot, or is there a shuttle?
If there is a shuttle, does it pick us up at our car? Then does it pick up others too?
To make this easier, if someone could give me the play by play of what happens from when we arrive at the parking lot, and the time it takes to get to the check in spot, that would be great!
Thanks!

Aim for the 10.30 am.



First time cruisers going in May!

If our check in time is 10:30, what time should we arrive at the Port? 10.30 am.


If we park at the parking lot there, do we walk to the check in spot, or is there a shuttle?

Walk.


If there is a shuttle, does it pick us up at our car? Then does it pick up others too?
You will walk.

To make this easier, if someone could give me the play by play of what happens from when we arrive at the parking lot, and the time it takes to get to the check in spot, that would be great!



See photo above everything is close, they open the parking lot and terminal around 10.30 maybe just a bit earlier we gave arrived too early and gone around the block. You will either go into the terminal and drop your bags there, or drop off in the layby just outside or park in the parking lot, all are close all are a walk, the parking lot gas a bridge to the terminal.

So
Arrive.
Drop off bags, tip porter.
Park.
Go in terminal with hand luggage and tickets and ID.
go through x Ray security.
Go up escalators.
Check in at the signed check in positions, Get boarding card number.
Relax and enjoy,
When you are called by boarding card go on the ship.

 

[pgroom48]

The parking lot is right at the port and they will not let your board before you arrival time and typically boarding starts about 11. So I agree with the previous poster to arrive around you time, otherwise you sit around the port waiting.

 

[Weedy]

The parking garage opens 10:00-10:15
When you arrive at the port there is a place in front to stop and drop off your luggage with the porters. Be sure to have all your luggage tags on your bags so they are ready to go. The bags will be delivered to your stateroom. Keep in mind the bags may not get there until. 5PM. Also keep a small day bag with you with your passports/birth certificate, sun screen RX.
You will then drive a few yards to the parking garage. In the past we have paid after the cruise but I have read a few recent post that you now pay before you park.
The garage in right next to the garage. There is a bridge on the 3rd floor leading over to the terminal or just cross over on the ground floor.
There are elevators and restrooms in the garage.
When you get in the terminal you will go through a scanner like the airport.
The check in area is on the 3rd floor of the terminal. You will be directed to a line, check in and will be given a boarding #.
Be sure to go online and select your PAT (port arrival Time)
They start boarding the ship 11:15-11:30.
Then it's time to have a great cruise

 

[Albertan mom]

You guys are awesome!!!!!
Thank you so much for the info!


So even though our official 'check in' time says 10:30, we won't be able to check in until after 11?

 

[Albertan mom]

Great picture too, thanks!
How do you get preferred parking?

 

[Weedy]

Preferred parking is in the outside lot not covered. It's not really that closer. I like parking in the garage better.

 

[lanejudy]

You guys are awesome!!!!!
Thank you so much for the info!


So even though our official 'check in' time says 10:30, we won't be able to check in until after 11?

Your PAT is 10:30-10:45. PAT means Port Arrival Time, not check-in time. The port terminal will not open until 10:30, after entering the building then you go through security, then you'll check-in.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Weedy]

The parking garage opens between 10:00-10:30??? They keep changing it. I sugggest arriving about 10:30 because they won't start boarding until 11:15-11:30.
The terminal opens at 10:30 and you will be able to check in once you enter (there may be a line)
Like lanejudy said you have a PAT- Port arrival time not boarding time.
It takes 20-30 minutes to drop off your luggage, park the car, go through security and get checked in.
When you check in you will receive your boarding #. Your boarding # is tied you your PAT. So if you arrive before of after your PAT you will still receive the same
boarding #. Concierge and Platinum Guests receive boarding #1 (and sometimes 2 depending how many Platinum cruisers on board). Then they start caling the other #'s. It goes fast, they call the next # about every 5 minutes.

The terminal is fun ). While you are waiting the characters will come out for pictures, there is a balconey to go out on and see the ship and there is a pressed penny machine (there are non on the ship).

 

[pgroom48]

You can check in at your PAT but not necessarily board. So from what I have experienced a 10:30 PAT typically boards right around 11:00. The port area is fun but I have 3 children 8 and under so more than about 30 minutes and I (and honestly they) start to go crazy and lose patience.

 

[Albertan mom]

So in the picture above, the covered thing is parking? On the left side, under the red letters saying PARKING? And the lot beyond that too I imagine? I was thinking the Preferred was so much closer, but not if that is a covered parking garage! And is that a ramp to the round part to the terminal?
I was thinking dragging our big suitcases from the far top lot to the terminal was going to be quite a workout!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So in the picture above, the covered thing is parking? On the left side, under the red letters saying PARKING? And the lot beyond that too I imagine? I was thinking the Preferred was so much closer, but not if that is a covered parking garage! And is that a ramp to the round part to the terminal?
I was thinking dragging our big suitcases from the far top lot to the terminal was going to be quite a workout!

The covered structure in the upper center is the parking garage. The terminal is on the left (with walkway between parking garage and terminal). The parking lot between the parking structure and the terminal is Preferred parking. The parking lot to the right of the parking structure is regular open parking.

 

[Weedy]

As I said above you will drop your luggage off with the porters before you park the car.

 

[cashe]

is preferred parking where the handicap spots are?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

is preferred parking where the handicap spots are?

I can see 8 handicapped spots in the preferred lot. Don't know if there are others in the structure.

 

[cashe]

I can see 8 handicapped spots in the preferred lot. Don't know if there are others in the structure.

you and your amazing eyesight are awesome! Thanks shmoo!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

you and your amazing eyesight are awesome! Thanks shmoo!

Well, I zoomed in on the picture I have on my computer.

 

[artnerds]

There are handicapped spots in the lot and in the parking structure. Just mention it to the porters when you drop your luggage off, and they will direct you to available parking.

(Also, if your vehicle has special equipment such as a ramp, lift, or hand controls, you park for free.)

 

[cashe]

Well, I zoomed in on the picture I have on my computer.

yeah, iPhones and my eyes don't bode well for my deciphering skills! thanks so much!

 

[cashe]

There are handicapped spots in the lot and in the parking structure. Just mention it to the porters when you drop your luggage off, and they will direct you to available parking.

(Also, if your vehicle has special equipment such as a ramp, lift, or hand controls, you park for free.)

oh cool! yeah, no special equipment. I just have 2 really bad ankles and knees! Thanks! I'll have DH drop me and the kiddo off first and direct him to those spots.